The Importance of Leashes and Collars
Leashes and Collars: Learning
Leashes and collars are necessities for your puppy's safety and for being kept in your area of influence. You will benefit from having a leash and collar to take your puppy outside in the initial stages of potty training. It may seem like alot of trouble at first, but in the long run it will speed up the learning proccess for your puppy. (Once your puppy is potty trained, he doesn't need a leash provided he's in a fenced in area or is supervised and is reliable on the recall command.)
The best way to get your puppy used to the leash and collar is to let him drag it around in the house while you're watching him. A nylon leash is a good choice for a puppy just learning because it's lightweight and won't be so heavy to drag around. You will still have to watch that it doesn't get chewed by making sure your puppy has an appropriate toy to chew on that's more appealing than the leash.
Leashes and Collars: Safety
A leashes and collars are a NEED with any puppy or dog. It enables you to take your puppy out to various places safely. A leash also shapes in your puppy's mind that you are in control, by keeping your puppy in your area of influence while he's learning. Establishing this in your dog's mind early will benefit "very much" later on.
I do not recommend choke chains, especially not on puppies! It just teaches your dog to pull, it hardens their neck and can do damage to their throat. If you don't want to experience alot of pulling when going out, a harness is nice in the beginning(under 20 pounds). You have control and your puppy isn't hurt. BUT when your puppy gets older or starts to gain more strength this may need to be phased out. You can also hook the leash onto the ring in front which gives your dog less pulling power.
My personal favorite is the Gentle Leader. It's almost the same principle of having a halter on a horse's head. It's very effective and does not cause pain at all for your puppy or dog. If used according to the instructions it can work miracles. Remember to read and follow all instructions carefully.
Just a note, no piece of equipment will substitute for correct training where your puppy actually listens to you. This is only accomplished by positive reinforcement and correct behavior shaping. Puppies can learn somewhat early, but only if it's done in a positive manner that is sensitive to their developmental stages. Be aware that incorrect training can scar a puppy for life, and is 99% of the time the actual cause of behavioral problems.
Leashes and Collars: Only exception to being without
There are things that you can do with your puppy inside, interactions that you can establish between you in order to get him to listen to you, in which you won't even need leashes and collars BUT be aware that this is only when you are inside your house, (or where you have your puppy safely contained like a fenced in yard).
Using my proven principles, you can earn your puppy or dog's respect in a manner that will not cause fear or pain in any way. There are more of these covered in Puppy Potty Training since this potty training stage occurs simultaneously with your puppy's critical stages of development. All the right components must be in place and practiced in order to raise a well mannered, happy and healthy canine companion.
copyright © 2004 Kathleen Amaro. All Rights Reserved
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